A guard dog is usually trained to protect against unwanted or unforeseen visits from people or animals. A guard dog will restrain or attack an intruder if the intruder gets into the territory that the dog is guarding. A watch dog, on the other hand, would only give warning barks at an intruder coming within its range. Guard dog training may train a dog to do either of these two extremes and anywhere in between.

Popular guard dog breeds include Doberman Pinschers and German Shepherd Dogs. These breeds are very good candidates for guard dog duty due to their innate instinct to guard. Guard dogs must be brave, intelligent and committed to work. The instincts of these dogs must be carefully known to ensure they can still be controlled when necessary. After all, no one wants to be around a guard dog that's out of control.

Guard dog training takes careful planning and implementation. The drive and bite must be taught. Obedience and commands must always be enforced so that the dog knows when to guard and when to take it easy.

There are different types of guard dog training. There are also different levels depending on what needs to be guarded. Guard dog training also depends on how you want your guard dog to react to different situations he may encounter. You may train a guard dog to secure a particular area, may it be your house, place of business, property, or livestock, or simply to keep valuables secured.

Guard dog training should only be administered to a dog once he has undergone basic dog obedience training. Dog obedience training is your dog's foundation for guard duty. The better the obedience training your dog gets, the more quickly and efficiently he will be in catching on to guard dog training.

In guard dog training, it is crucial that you teach your dog to keep itself indifferent to other dogs (especially those of the opposite sex), as well as cats and mice. These distractions can cause your dog to lose focus and neglect his duty. You should also hone the dog's barking skills. Barking is your dog's way of alerting you when there is an intruder. The barking is also an attempt to scare away would-be intruders. However, if barking doesn't deter the intruder, a guard dog is trained to attack or restrain.

There are different training courses for taught in guard dog training schools, all of which are tailored depending on the amount of protection you feel you need. The simplest course of guard dog training involves testing the dog for his temperament, in addition to training him with good watch dog skills. The next level may involve drive and bite work, while the most intensive courses train the dog to protect individuals and families, and are also taught how to attack and subdue intruders.

The objective of these courses is to make your dog confident, courageous and powerful. Guard dog training also establishes in your dog a passion to protect you, your family and/or your property.